Families, civil rights groups applaud DOJ's decision

DOJ to investigate APD

Nothing but relief and excitement from civil rights groups and families of those who have been injured or killed by police on Tuesday after the Justice Department announced a formal investigation into Albuquerque police.

Ever since Albuquerque police officers shot her son, Christopher, in the back and killed him, Renetta Torres and her husband, Stephen, have been pushing for the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate officers' use of force.

The DOJ launched its investigation into Albuquerque police on Tuesday.

"The first shot, the medical examiner said (Christopher) would have survived," she said. "The second one killed him. The third one, I don't know what that was for."

Stephen Torres said since his son's death, he and his wife made it clear to the Albuquerque Police Department that they were not "anti-APD".

"We both have very good friends who are APD officers who share the same concerns about what's going on in the department," he said.

Since 2010, APD officers opened fire at 25 people. 17 of them died. Torres was one of the 17.

Another was Kenneth Ellis, III. He was an Iraq War veteran who suffered from PTSD.

APD shot and killed him in the 7-Eleven parking lot at Eubank and Constitution when he pointed a gun at officers.

His father has questioned the shooting from day one.

"Anytime you shoot a man in the back, and justify that, there's a problem there," Ellis said. "That's just not right. It never has been right."

Ellis also wants a grand jury to investigate all of the APD officers who have used deadly force. He needs a little more than 8,000 signatures for his petition, but has collected 3,000.

He said a lot of people won't sign it out of fear.

"People are afraid to speak out because they've been retaliated against for speaking out," he said.

He also blames Albuquerque Mayor Richard Berry and Chief Ray Schultz for the department's current problems.

"I don't see how they can be part of the solution," Ellis said. "They've enabled officers to get away with murder."

Action 7 News has also covered cases, some caught on camera, where officers use excessive force on suspects, even after the suspects have surrendered.

Civil rights groups say the DOJ's investigation is a long time coming.

"A department doesn't develop problems overnight," said Ralph Arellanes of LULAC. "You see a pattern of bad behavior developing over a period of time."

Schultz said the police department has made changes in the past year, regarding use of force policies.

But some said the DOJ stepping in is proof that wasn't enough.

"What we've seen in the last year or so is that the city needs help," said ACLU Executive Director Peter Simonson.